Product Description

Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese? is a bestselling book that has helped millions of people around the world adapt and succeed in changing times. Now Dr. Johnson has adapted his story for the picture book audience so that, starting from the earliest age, children can view change as a positive thing that can lead to new opportunity.

Young readers will enjoy following the story of the four little characters, Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw, who make their way through a maze looking for the "Magical Cheese" that makes them happy. And once they find the Cheese, it seems like it will last forever-until one morning when everything changes. Who moved their Cheese? Will it come back? Or will they have to look for different Cheese, venturing onto strange paths, around corners they've never explored? As children follow these friends through the maze of change, they can try to figure out which character they're most like-or which they most admire-and what their own Magical Cheese might be.

Spencer Johnson, M.D.'s New York Times #1 bestselling book Who Moved My Cheese? - An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change at Work and in Life has inspired and entertained millions of adults. Now even the youngest readers can share the story, learning how to deal with change-and win!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #341781 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 64 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780399240164
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
Motivational author Spencer Johnson (The One Minute Manager, Who Moved my Cheese? for Teens) may have finally found the perfect format for his popular parable on the importance of anticipating and adapting to life changes.

Critics of Johnson's best-selling Who Moved my Cheese? for grownups complained about its oversimplification and lack of substance (and the fact that glad-handed managers sometimes gave the book to employees fearing for their jobs didn't help). But in a kids' book, that simplicity doesn't grate as much, and Johnson's cartoonish characters--sneaker-wearing mice Sniff and Scurry, and the tentative Hem and Haw, ever in search of "cheese" in the "maze"--look right at home alongside the rest of Steve Pileggi's crude illustrations.

Of course, Johnson's homily might seem even less applicable to kids than it is to adults, and some of Haw's "Handwriting on the Wall" (again, lifted directly from the grownup version) will likely prove too abstract (like "Smell the cheese often so you know when it's getting old"). But then again, kids face more changes than most adults, and they often have fewer tools to deal with them. If nothing else, Johnson's message on "How to deal with change--and win!" is at least a slight improvement on the more time-honored "Shut up and deal." (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5-While this picture-book allegory is not a panacea to every change occurring in a child's life, some may find it a useful discussion tool. Johnson shows the different ways that four little friends search out the Magical Cheese that will make them happy. The author explains that some children may look for change early like Sniff, some may hurry to action like Scurry, some may resist change like Hem, and still others may learn to adapt like Haw. Rhetorical questions are asked, for example, "What do you think your New Cheese could be?" Haw frequently pauses to write inspirational comments on the wall such as "Imagining Your New Cheese Helps You Find It!" This book could aid children in understanding that "the best change happens inside of you-like when you believe a change can lead to something better." The cartoon characters are distinguished by their colors and the names on their caps and jumpsuits. Endpapers portray a maze, which is also shown within the pages of the book. The author concludes with discussion questions to consider.
Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Perfect story Post Katrina
My children have had to deal with tremendous unexpected changes in our lives as our home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. One day we were in a home and my four year olds were just getting settled into school. The next day we were living 500 miles away from home, their home was destroyed, and they were placed in new schools. This story was perfect in explaining to them that change happens to everyone. Sometimes these changes are very unexpected. If we are willing to embrace change we can make this change an opportunity rather than a tragedy. Wonderful principles to teach to kids. My wife and I learned from it also.

On their level - and ours too!
I am a fan of the adult version of this book, so when I saw it came out in a children's version, I had to have it. We're a military family, so change is one constant in our lives. We're about to make a move which will be the first one my 5 year old daughter is really aware of. I introduced this book to her, and even though she doesn't quite understand the real meaning of the story, I'm hoping it will be a way to remind her that change is a good thing. She'll already have the lessons tucked away in her mind, so hopefully when she's in the midst of a change, it will mean something to her. The pictures are wonderful, as is the story. My kids love it and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is dealing with change. It's an optimistic view of whatever changes come into our lives.

Great for Autistic Kids
I use this version of the story with my Autistic students--even the older ones. One of the primary difficulties that people with Autism have is dealing with changes. This gives me a vocabulary and means to talk with my students about change and helps them to see that change can be positive. When they are experiencing change and can communicate about how they feel, they are better able to deal with the changes and see how they are a part of the change. A must have for all teachers of all ages.